Complete Tracker: Tracks, Signs, And Habits Of North American Wildlife

by Len McDougall

The Complete Tracker is a concise, thorough guide to the tracks, signs, and habits of North America's most popular species of wildlife. Readers learn the secrets of a master tracker, assembling a clear picture from tracks, scat, and other signs. Was it a dog or a wolf? Fox or coyote? Did it pass by yesterday or an hour ago? The Complete Tracker also teaches how to get close to animals - everything from bobcats to beavers, marmots to moose - by knowing the details of their habits and a master-tracker's tips on avoiding detection. Over 150 line drawings show tracks of 60 different species of wildlife under a great variety of terrain conditions. Also inlcudes maps, charts, and diagrams.

Genres: Reference, Outdoors, Nature, Survival, Wildlife, How To

384 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1997

About the author

Len McDougall is a full-time outdoor writer, professional photographer, and illustrator with more than thirty years’ experience in the North Woods. His books include Tracking and Reading Sign, The Complete Tracker, Practical Outdoor Survival and The Self-Reliance Manifesto. He lives in Paradise, Michigan.

Reviews

[Blast · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a lot of books on animal tracks but this is by far the best. Not only does it discuss how to identify a track but it also goes in-depth into the habits of each animal. It's absolutely awesome and yet small enough to take with you into the woods.

[Robert Risher · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is exactly what I sought in a tracking book. The content is varied and detailed, the pictures descriptive, and it's all well organized. If you're in search of this type of information for outdoor activities, I highly recommend this book.

[Bookwyrmgyrl]

The title says it all - this book really is complete. The author gives you almost more information than you want to know, but presents it in an interesting and efficient way. One of the strengths of this book is that the author has gained a lot of his knowledge by real experience. He has spent thousands of hours outdoors, studying animal behavior. He's also done lots of research. . He helps you make connections, such as learning what animals eat so that you can look for them or their tracks near their food sources. Just when you are reviewing his data and thinking, “Yeah, but what about this?” he goes there and answers all your questions. He also uses excellent examples to clarify points. I came away from this book with more knowledge than I expected. Well worth the read, even for an experienced outdoorsman.

[Josh · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid field-guide to many of the mammalian (and one native marsupial) critters of North America.

Each section contains a wealth of information that will take multiple read-throughs to fully digest. But, as a field-guide, it's handy to keep in the rucksack while afield.

My main critique is that the black and white illustrations / photos were not always clear. Additionally, I'm curious how 17yrs since its publication has made information on ranges / seasonal time frames out of date, due to climate change and shifting seasons.

[Kayla Kremke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have not read this book cover to cover, only to sections where I want to know facts about and animal (I use it more as a referance) but it is an amazing book, same as the 1997 edition.